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Senior Games: Bowlers Share More Than a Lane With Their Partners

Bowling married couples David and Earleen Evans of Lakeland, from left, and Celina and Richard Merrill competed in events in the Senior Games on Saturday afternoon.

LISA COFFEY | THE LEDGER

By LISA COFFEYTHE LEDGER

Published: Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 5:29 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 5:29 a.m.

LAKELAND | When married couples who bowl talk about carrying each other, they are not talking about the husband carrying the wife over the threshold.

It's about one member of the couple with the highest average or score making up for the weaker one.

That was part of the story Saturday at the AMF Lakeland Lanes, where 21 of the 94 couples competing in mixed bowling were married ­— happily, in the first day of the 2012 International Senior Games and State Championships in Polk County.

Couples Earleen and David Evans, who met at the AMF Lakeland Lanes, and Celina and Richard Merrill of The Villages were just two of the betrothed pairs who were competing.

Both believe the game enhances their marriage.

It's and outlet and gives us things to talk about," said Earleen, 64 of Mulberry. "It's good for our health and keeps us active."

The two shared kisses every time David, 66, got a strike, and otherwise.

"Every time we get a chance," joked David.

Richard Merrill, 79, is a life-long athlete, while his wife, Celina, 80, was not.

But it was Celina who started playing 50 years ago, or nine years into their 59-year marriage, and talked Richard into it.

He got into it quickly in New Hampshire.

"He took everything there was to take — the singles and doubles titles in the city tournament," Celina said. He's a natural athlete."

In both marriages, the husband is the better bowler and attempts to help his wife. Both men have tallied 300 games.

In fact, Richard is one of just three bowlers ever in the senior games to reach the coveted mark in the games, He's also bowled an 800 series.

He's quietly goes about his business and doesn't brag. He often lends a hand to Celina.

"I get mad at myself if I don't do well," Celina said. "He's always supportive. He tried to help me. It's not his fault. I try, but it doesn't compute."

She loves his help when they bowl doubles.

"He can carry me," Celina said.

Earleen insists on David's help. Recently she was more frustrated with the fact that David was sharing his attention with other female bowlers rather than helping her during her Monday night ladies league.

"I get jealous when he's not paying attention to me," she said. "Two weeks ago I was up here. I was bowling so badly. He was just sitting there flirting with all the ladies. I just want him to tell me what I'm doing wrong."

Flirting was not the issue.

"As far as that's concerned, we have a good thing going," she said.

David has learned the proper times to give tips.

"Only when she's not mad at me," he said.

Marriage can actually be good for bowling couples.

"It's much easier to bowl with someone you've known for a long time," said bowling director Bob Peters. "They can help correct a mistake."

On Saturday, Earleen was worried about their planned trip to Outback Steakhouse, if they did well. The date was secured when the Evanses won the age 60-64 division.

The Merrills took a silver in the 75-79 category.

In a show of sportsmanship Saturday, the Central Florida Archers presented Frank Gandy of Bartow with a statue in Fort Meade in front of about 80 archers for all Gandy has done for the sport.

<p>LAKELAND | When married couples who bowl talk about carrying each other, they are not talking about the husband carrying the wife over the threshold.</p><p>It's about one member of the couple with the highest average or score making up for the weaker one.</p><p>That was part of the story Saturday at the AMF Lakeland Lanes, where 21 of the 94 couples competing in mixed bowling were married ­— happily, in the first day of the 2012 International Senior Games and State Championships in Polk County.</p><p>Couples Earleen and David Evans, who met at the AMF Lakeland Lanes, and Celina and Richard Merrill of The Villages were just two of the betrothed pairs who were competing.</p><p>Both believe the game enhances their marriage.</p><p>It's and outlet and gives us things to talk about," said Earleen, 64 of Mulberry. "It's good for our health and keeps us active."</p><p>The two shared kisses every time David, 66, got a strike, and otherwise.</p><p>"Every time we get a chance," joked David.</p><p>Richard Merrill, 79, is a life-long athlete, while his wife, Celina, 80, was not.</p><p>But it was Celina who started playing 50 years ago, or nine years into their 59-year marriage, and talked Richard into it.</p><p>He got into it quickly in New Hampshire.</p><p>"He took everything there was to take — the singles and doubles titles in the city tournament," Celina said. He's a natural athlete."</p><p>In both marriages, the husband is the better bowler and attempts to help his wife. Both men have tallied 300 games.</p><p>In fact, Richard is one of just three bowlers ever in the senior games to reach the coveted mark in the games, He's also bowled an 800 series.</p><p>He's quietly goes about his business and doesn't brag. He often lends a hand to Celina.</p><p>"I get mad at myself if I don't do well," Celina said. "He's always supportive. He tried to help me. It's not his fault. I try, but it doesn't compute."</p><p>She loves his help when they bowl doubles.</p><p>"He can carry me," Celina said.</p><p>Earleen insists on David's help. Recently she was more frustrated with the fact that David was sharing his attention with other female bowlers rather than helping her during her Monday night ladies league.</p><p>"I get jealous when he's not paying attention to me," she said. "Two weeks ago I was up here. I was bowling so badly. He was just sitting there flirting with all the ladies. I just want him to tell me what I'm doing wrong."</p><p>Flirting was not the issue.</p><p>"As far as that's concerned, we have a good thing going," she said.</p><p>David has learned the proper times to give tips.</p><p>"Only when she's not mad at me," he said.</p><p>Marriage can actually be good for bowling couples.</p><p>"It's much easier to bowl with someone you've known for a long time," said bowling director Bob Peters. "They can help correct a mistake."</p><p>On Saturday, Earleen was worried about their planned trip to Outback Steakhouse, if they did well. The date was secured when the Evanses won the age 60-64 division.</p><p>The Merrills took a silver in the 75-79 category.</p><p>In a show of sportsmanship Saturday, the Central Florida Archers presented Frank Gandy of Bartow with a statue in Fort Meade in front of about 80 archers for all Gandy has done for the sport.</p><p>Gandy was inducted in the Archery Hall of Fame in September.</p><p>Action continues today with pickleball, badminton, basketball shooting, bowling, swimming and team bowling.</p>